As summer comes to an end

As summer comes to an end I can't help but think about how lucky I am to have such a great family to spend my time with.  This is Kari and Andy's last weekend in town, they head home on Monday.

It was warm enough for the kids to run around in their suits but the water was gross again so nobody really got to do any swimming.

Brian, Jennie and I took the boat out earlier today.  Jen and I chilled while Brian drove us from one end to the next- over and over.  It was so nice to be out on the lake again.

I was able to talk Agustin into taking a 4 wheeler ride with me today.  He was a little apprehensive to go but once we were out on the road he was surely enjoying himself.

Our mom didn't make it up this weekend.  Tom's chemo has him a little under the weather so she opted to stay home and tend to her man. The rest of us were here.  ALL of us.

While Jen, Bri and I were out on the boat the rest of them got a game of Bocce going.  It spanned across the whole yard and it was fun watching the crowd walk/run from side to side- talking and laughing the whole time.

When we all gathered on the deck again we talked about possibly going for a boat ride or taking the boat to the other side of the lake to then dock and have dinner.  As soon as we started making plans we looked to the sky and saw that the weather was appearing to change.  It looked like rain and after consulting with Brian-the-resident-weather-guy we determined that it was indeed going to rain and we would need to take a rain check on the dinner cruise.

Instead we decided that we should attempt a group picture.  After all, we are all in the same place and AT THE PLACE that we all love.  It seemed like the perfect time.

We got the group over and talked that although people would love to run in and 'freshen up' we should take the picture as is.  This is the cabin and this is how we 'do'' cabin.

We set the timer and this is what we got.

Perfect.

Kristin, Bobby, Jennie, Tom, Andy, Kari, Nico, Agustin, Kim, Joe, Hannah, Hailey, Brian and I

After the successful group pictures we asked the kids if they would mind if we took a few of them.

They were pretty anxious to run away and play but did stick around long enough for a few poses.

Love these kids!  Sure am going to miss watching them play together!

Choo Choo!

 

Ever since the Illinois State Fair last year I have been wanting to see Train in concert again.

So far both times I have seen them it has been on accident.

First time was at the MN State Fair- Train and Maroon 5- figured Train was opening for Maroon 5, nope other way around.

Second time was at the Illinois State Fair- when Molly and Loriann drove 3.5 hours with me to see Andy Grammer, Train was the headliner that night as well.

Needless to say, they are AWESOME live.  They sound great and their set lists are put together very well- perfect mixture of old, new and they always throw in a cover or two.

I had my eye on them and noticed that they had a gap in their current tour schedule.  That gap just so happened to be right during the MN State Fair time.  I was super happy when they announced they would be at the fair although not totally surprised, I was expecting it :-)

Molly and Loriann were interested in going again so we bought 6 tickets.

They were going to bring their husbands and I figured that I would be able to talk Brian into it.  They aren't his favorite and although he won't turn them off if they come on, he doesn't play their music on purpose....too top 40 for him ;-)

It was getting closer and closer to the date and he was standing firm on his response of 'NO' so I asked Karri if she wanted to join me.  She was able to and I was really looking forward to spending some time with her.  

We emailed and texted our plans and then Wednesday evening I got another text that she was not sure she would be able to go.  Courtney was having severe abdominal pain and was on her way to the ER.  She would keep me updated and let me know.

Turns out the poor thing needed emergency surgery (appendix) and our date was cancelled.

I got in touch with Jennifer on Thursday morning and she was able to make it so we met at a park 'n Ride by my work and headed out to the concert!

Although I was upset that Karri couldn't make it (totally understand why!), I was excited to hang out with Jennifer.  We definitely don't do that enough (or ever) and all the other times we get together it's family stuff or the kids are with us.

The concert was GREAT!  It was SUPER moist out- hot and humid- and by the end of the night we were all dripping but it was a great show and a TON of fun!

There it goes....

I can't believe the summer is almost over.

Kari and her family leave soon and the cabin weekends will come to an end.

 

We have been on the run since the weather turned nice and with our new daycare schedule and drop offs, T-Ball, spending time with Kari, shopping for school, helping Jennie do wedding stuff, working, commuting, spending weekends gone at the cabin, not sleeping well, etc.  It's been difficult to keep up on anything.  As much as I am ready for a normal schedule again, I am not really looking forward to closing the cabin or saying goodbye to Kari and family.

 Jennie's wedding however, real excited for that!

The hunt begins

This is like a treasure hunt!

The list from Hannah's school should be pretty simple, right?!

Pens, pencils, crayons, glue sticks....how hard could it be?

 

Well, the list was a little too specific.....it's not just glue sticks.  It's 1.23 oz glue sticks, which I am CONVINCED does not exist.  Even the largest glue sticks on the shelf are only 0.77 oz....1.23 oz?!  These do not exist.

Box of washable markers, 12 ct.  Easy peasy! Ummmm....nope.

8 ct, 10 ct, washable, not washable......12ct?!  Nowhere.

 

We did as much as we could today but after hunting for twistable crayons, crayola watercolor paints and plastic folders and not having any luck, we decided to call it a day for now.

 

 

Annual sunset pic

It never fails.

Evening at the cabin rolls around, heads turn to the lake to see/comment on the sunset, girls grab their guys and run to the water to take pictures before the sunset is gone.

 

I always tease them- they all always look so good in pictures and yet each year- weekend after weekend, it's the same story.

Today Kim and Joe were the only couple (well, besides Brian and I) so when they went down to the lake they didn't have anyone to take their picture for them.  Hannah was sure that she could do it so they accepted her offer.  Well, KIM accepted her offer, Joe could have cared less :-)

 

 

It cracked me up watching them pose for Hannah. 

 Good thing she's actually pretty good at taking pictures.  I am not sure if it turned out, all these pictures look the same after a while.

It's about time!

My dad drove up to the lake today and brought my grandma and Bob.

They haven't been up here yet this year and it was such a treat to have them there!

 

It was hot but there was such a nice breeze that it kept everyone cool enough- as long as you sat in the shade.

 

 

 Grandma:  "Ya know, I just can't do things like I used to."

Me:  "Oh yeah, like what? "

Grandma:  "Well, things are just getting harder.  There's a lot of stuff I haven't done."

Me:  "Well, What haven't you done that you want to do?  You wanna go on the 4-wheeler don't you?" (I was mostly joking)

Grandma:  "No, I have never been on one."

Me:  "Well, do you wanna?  I can take you for a ride.  I'll go real slow."

Grandma:  "You think I can get up?"

Me:  "For sure!  Let's do it!"

 

We snuck away while everyone else was in the house and once we started 'er up they all heard the commotion and came out to see what was going on. Needless to say they were all pretty amazed that I had talked her into this.

 

 

She actually enjoyed herself!  Go Granny!

 

 

 

Mower

Hailey (as she pointed into the shower):  "Uh oh mom- you dropped your mower."

LOL!

 

 

The wine did it!

Earlier this summer there was a Living Social deal for a Wine and Canvas event.

I emailed the sisters and they were all in- sounded like a great thing to do while Kari was here.

It took a while to get all of our schedules in sync to actually make it work but we found a day we could all make.

 

These events are held in random places throughout the city.  Tonight's event was at Carmine's Italian resturant in Woodbury.

We arrived and got seated.  In the front of the room we saw what we were expected to do tonight.  Turn this blank canvas into that flower picture.

Yum, yeah right.

 

Here goes nothing!

 

 

 

We ordered our first glass of wine and the instructor gave us our first assignment.

Mix some blue and white paint to make a lighter blue and go to town.   Only rules, don't cover the whole background in blue.  The music was turned up and off we went.

After the blue background we were instructed to take white paint and fill in the empty areas, blending the white into the blue as we went.   We added some gray and then took a 15 minute break while we let the background dry.

 

Once we were done with our break we started in on the flower.  Measuring and adding a yellow center then creating the petals.  Once all of the petals were mapped out we went back in and shaded them with some gray.

 

 

Once the flower petals were done we finished the center of the flower, the stem, grass and flowers around the grass.

 

Each step of the way, the instructor would give a little guidance and then turn us loose.

 

 

My finshed picture!

 

 

There were probably a total of 40 women there.  All of us made the same picture and even though they were similar, they were all different.  SUCH a fun night!

 

I bought two of these 'events'.  Loriann and I plan to go in October, we already have our picture picked out- can't wait!!

 

Shower #2

Today was Jennie's 2nd Shower hosted by her friend, Heather.

 

We had a tasty brunch after taking self guided tours of her new beautiful home!

 

One game we played was to get into small groups and then we had to make a dress out of toilet paper.  Jennie got to decide the winner.

Kimmy (3rd one in) was on my team, we went with the high-low look, sweetheart neckline and stuffed chest.  We didn't win. She was a fan of Janelle's team (1st one).

 

It was a beautiful day celebrating a beautiful Bride-to-be!

 

 

I'm getting another Brother-in-law!!!!

Today is the day!!

 

A few weeks ago I received a text from Bobby while I was at work.  He was wondering if the family was free on Aug 17th.  I texted back the details I knew and then he asked if I had a minute to talk.  I was just getting ready to start a meeting but there was NO way I was going to wait to find out what this was all about.

 

As I had HOPED he told me of his plans to propose to Kristin that day.

YES!  I was so excited- goosebumps AND tears!

 

He had asked me to help get the family to his house that night.  We needed to think of a good reason to get people there.  He and Kristin already had a 'day date' planned and as of today she didn't know what they were going to do.  He thought he would keep the day a surprise.  We talked about how that may give her ideas so it would be better to just tell her their plan.  He had appts made for her to get her hair done, then a pedicure and manicure followed by a massage.  All of this because it was a 'celebration for her finishing her classes'.  Little did she know when they arrived back home that night that there would be a party waiting for her :-)

 

Bobby's sister, Sue, and I were enlisted to help get things organized.

We helped to brainstorm ideas about how it should happen and what to tell everyone else to help get them there.  Bobby's plan was to invite family and close friends to a 'surprise graduation party' for Kristin.  She went back to school for Radiology and ever since then she has been complaining about homework, classes, and not being able to do things because of homework and classes.

Bobby wanted to throw this little party to celebrate the fact that we would be able to see her again.

Seemed believeable.

 

That day arrived and I couldn't WAIT!

 

Their day started around 10 am.  Kristin started posting updates on Facebook about their whereabouts- hair appt, nails, massage, etc.

 

We arrived at Bobby and Kristin's around 4:15/4:30.  They were expected around 5:15.

 

I had made some signs for the kids to hold that said 'Way to go Kristin!' (well, Loriann made the signs since she has better handwriting)

The plan was for the kids to be standing around holding the signs when they drove in.  Once Bobby parked the truck, they would see the people/party and make their way to the yard.  Once Kristin turned the corner of the truck, the kids would change their signs and he would drop to his knee.

 

 

 

It pretty much went perfectly!

Although, the 'we are on our way text' that his sister and I were expecting never made it to us so of course, Hailey and I were in the bathroom when I saw them pulling in.  Luckily Kristin knew something was up and stalled a few minutes before getting out of the truck so we didn't miss it.

 

  Her reaction was priceless!

She was so emotional and broke down crying.  Such a REAL response.

 

Everything was perfect!

 

Thanks Bobby for including all of us and letting us be a part of your speical day!

 

"That's not what it means"

Hannah:  "Hailey, I made this sign for my door.  It says 'No Hailey' but it doesn't mean I am mad at you.  It just means that my room is clean and I don't want people in here messing it up. Don't be sad."

High Heels

The girls and I ran out to a few stores.  We were looking for tennis shoes for Hannah.

 

We stopped at Crazy 8 while we were out to pick up a few things for school.  Everything in the store was 30-40% off.  Hannah came across some sandals she really wanted.  REALLY BAD.

They were super cheap, not to mention adorable so I let her get them.

 

 

Not sure how I am ever going to get these things off of her.....

 

 

 

Can't Take It!

 

This kid is TOO CUTE!

Color me green

It happens every August.

The water turns green.  This is not just your 'dirty-lake-water-greenish-ick', this is paint green.

 

Since we couldn't swim today we decided a boat ride was in order.

 

 

I love walking down to the lake and seeing this view.  The family working together to get the boat packed up and into the water.  LOVE these people!

 

SEE told ya!  Nasty, right?!

 

That night we had a little fun with the kids.

We started by having Kim lay down and then Jennie straddled her.  We covered everything up with blankets except for Jennie's top of her body and Kimmy's legs.  So picture, Jennie's body using Kim's legs and then 'Jennie's legs' being able to do crazy things- like go straight in the air while she was still sitting up.  Running in place on one leg while the other leg is shaking, etc.

The kids got a kick out of it and wanted to get in on the action.

 

Next up: Steve

 

 

I was laying upside down on the couch and covered in blankets- except for Steve.

 Why the name Steve? Meh- no particular reason, just what we came up with.

The kids came out and Kimmy introduced them.  They all walked over, giggling, and looking at my knees.  I couldn't see anything so figured they were seeing what they were suppose to.

Then I heard Kim say "No, guys, he's down here."

 

 

They FREAKED out!

Laughing, screaming, laughing and screaming.

 

At one point Hailey asked grandma if that was really Steve, she was a little nervous about the whole thing.  After a few minutes I got up and they could see how this whole thing came together.

Hailey was still pretty nervous, came walking over to me to check things out.  She touched my chin and then demanded that I wipe that off.

 

The night ended with a 'levatation' by Kimmy.  Another crowd pleaser- couldn't get a picture due to the angle I was sitting :-(

 

 

Way Up North

Kim and I both took the day off work so we could join Kari and family in Duluth today.

They weren't totally sure about their morning plans as to when they would take off or what time they would be arriving in Duluth- they also weren't sure if they would make it to Gooseberry Falls.

After a few text messages back and forth, Kim and I decided to head to the cabin last night so that we could break up the drive in the morning with the girls.

Since there were no set plans, we decided to wake up in the morning, have breakfast and then head to Duluth.  When we got close we would check in with the family and if they weren't there and the kids were still ok in the car, we would head the extra 30 minutes to the falls and then come back to Duluth when they arrived.

 

First Stop: Tobies for breakfast

 

 I was so happy this morning when we got moving.  It was such a good idea for us to sleep at the cabin last night.  Already we are an hour closer than everyone else which means we aren't rushing to be somewhere by a certain time.  So far, this truly feels like a vacation.

 

 

After breakfast we made our way to Duluth.  The girls did awesome in the car!

When we got to Duluth they were amazed at the big lake and couldn't stop talking about how they couldn't even see the other side.

 

We called the rest of the family and they were still at least 80 miles away so we decided to head up to Goosebury.  Kari and family were still pretty sure they weren't going to have time to make it there.

 

 

We pulled in and parked.  We started to make our way to the falls when all of a sudden Hannah realized that she could hear the water.  She announced "MOM!  I can hear the waterfall!" and then took off- in a very fast walk- following the sounds.

 

 

 

Once again their little eyes filled with amazement!

They were a little annoyed that Kim and I wanted to take pictures of them, they just wanted to explore in the water.  We walked around for a while before we received the text that the family had arrived in Duluth.

 

 

 

 

 We made our way back 'into town' to meet the family at Grandma's for lunch.

 

 

 

After lunch we walked around the shops.

 

 

After that, Kari and family already needed to start heading back.  They had family to pick up at the airport and wanted to stop by the cabin on their way out.

Kim and I stayed for a little while and took the girls down by the lake.

 

 

 

What a great day!